Two women shot, one dead in Alexandria; shooter remains at large

Police cordoned off the crime scene of a double-shooting in the 2400 block of Ridge Road. Police are asking the public to avoid the area. (Courtesy Alexandria PD)

A longtime children’s music teacher was shot dead and another woman was wounded during a daytime shooting in a quiet Alexandria neighborhood, and police are still looking for the unidentified gunman.

It happened about 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the 2400 block of Ridge Road Drive.

Alexandria police said the gunman knocked on the door and shot the two women when they answered.

Ruthanne Lodato

Police Chief Earl Cook said there was no indication yet that the victim’s knew their shooter, and investigators do not know what led to the shooting.

Fifty-nine-year-old Ruthanne Lodato, a music teacher, was taken to a hospital where she died from her injuries. The other victim, a caregiver, also was taken to a hospital and was expected to live. A third person was home but was not injured.

The suspect remains at large. He is described as a older white male, balding with a gray hair and a full beard.